MLB: Money Management
by Brian Hansen
It is quite likely that most everyone has read articles on money management or how to build a bankroll in sports gaming. However, a brief visit to a more precise topic within overall sports gaming money management is absolutely worth it at this point in the year. We're now officially into the time of the year where, unless you get involved with niche sports like WNBA, AFL, or CFL, you're quite likely to rely on baseball for your profit building. With the lines and juice factors being so much different in baseball in comparison with in basketball and football, it is the perfect time of year to take a look at the true "mechanics" of MLB Money Management!
A common publicized percentage in sports gaming is 52.4% and that's because that is the percentage you must hit in basketball and football gaming to turn a profit. That is because of the 10% "juice" paid on losses. Without buying points in football or basketball you are generally always laying 110 to win 100. However, baseball is a different topic altogether and that is why it demands discussion, especially in late June when MLB is definitely the "hot topic" at the sports books!
I believe that there certainly can be value had in playing underdogs in baseball. However, I also believe that playing favorites, not big ones but smaller "fairly" priced favorites, in high percentage situations also has its place in MLB betting. Herein lays the key though! Keep in mind that if you're playing an average price of -125 in baseball it means that even if you go 5-4 (or 55.6%) you're still not getting anywhere, you're just treading water. This is also why I shy away from favorites over -150. A game has to be very strong for me to "pull the trigger" in that range. That's because at an average price of -150 you'd have to go 6-4 (60%) just to break even! 60% in football or hoops raises some eyebrows. However, in baseball it depends what type of lines you're getting involved with because 60% can be leaving you out of the black!
Some of the best seasons in baseball can be had picking dogs but of course, timing is the absolute key. Just blindly playing dogs because the payback is enticing can prove to be a big mistake. However, a true, methodical approach to betting dogs in baseball (finding value with teams and/or pitchers before the odds maker catches on) can produce nice profits. This is where a 50% MLB season can yield big profits because of the plus money return whereas 50% just gets you a pile of 'lost juice' on the gridiron or in basketball.
In summary, MLB wagering comes down to the units above all else. Don't get too hung up on winning percentages as there are always going to be some guys hitting 45% who may be having a much better season than guys hitting 55%. Find your comfort zone (yes, there is value with small to medium sized favorites in the right spots), stay consistent, and enjoy a big winning summer. Good luck!
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